Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted Senator Ron Wyden's request, allowing some Oregon flood victims more time to find housing. April Baer reports.

FEMA sent mobile housing units to Columbia County, to help residents of Vernonia who were washed out of their homes back in winter, 2007. But the trailers didn't arrive until four months after the flooding, due to some logistical problems -- the units had to be tested for hazardous fumes.

The displaced Vernonia families now number about a dozen.  They were facing a June 8th deadline to find new homes, but some are still struggling to collect money from a government buyout program.

Senator Wyden intervened last week, asking FEMA to give the families an extension. And that has now been granted.

The flood victims will have until early October to get moved into their new homes. The flooding in Vernonia washed away or destroyed hundreds of houses and rental units.